Question on severe abdominal cramps

[ronswife]

Hello,

In about every third BM, Ron has severe cramps and passes lumpy stools. I was wondering if this could be due to his surgery on 3/31 to remove the tumor at the junction of the small and large intestines. Could there be adhesions inside that are causing this?

Could it be the chemo? We are trying to understand this. We will ask the onc at the next visit next week.

I just thought someone else on this forum could have experienced this.

Thanks Much!

[mypinkheaven]

I still get pain in a few different areas when my colon cramps from diarrhea of lumpy stools - the pain is from adhesions and will subside as the stools moves. Of course, this is made more difficult for your husband because the chemo is probably causing the loose stools. Does he feel better if he eats a lower fiber diet?

[Jachut]

I have a colostomy but very bowel movement i have is somewhat painful. I know I have adhesions in there which occasionally cause quite severe pain if I have a particularly large or solid bm, but most of the time i have half an hour or so of cramping before I go. I also tend to still get a lot of tenesmus when I have a bowel movement even though there is no action at that end.

[ronswife]

I still get pain in a few different areas when my colon cramps from diarrhea of lumpy stools - the pain is from adhesions and will subside as the stools moves. Of course, this is made more difficult for your husband because the chemo is probably causing the loose stools. Does he feel better if he eats a lower fiber diet?

Thanks SO much mypinkheaven! This is just what I suspected! I just wonder now HOW LONG it will take for these adhesions to finally resolve?

And yes, he does much better with a low fiber diet for a few days after chemo!

[ronswife]

I have a colostomy but very bowel movement i have is somewhat painful. I know I have adhesions in there which occasionally cause quite severe pain if I have a particularly large or solid bm, but most of the time i have half an hour or so of cramping before I go. I also tend to still get a lot of tenesmus when I have a bowel movement even though there is no action at that end.

Hi Jachut,

May I ask what tenesmus is??

Thanks!

[Bev G]

I have a colostomy but very bowel movement i have is somewhat painful. I know I have adhesions in there which occasionally cause quite severe pain if I have a particularly large or solid bm, but most of the time i have half an hour or so of cramping before I go. I also tend to still get a lot of tenesmus when I have a bowel movement even though there is no action at that end.

unfortunately adhesions don't go away. Adhesion are scar tissue, which is permanent.

[mypinkheaven]

[
May I ask what tenesmus is??

Tenesmus is the feeling of having to have a bowel movement even though no stool is in the rectum.

[ronswife]

Thanks mypink!

Bev G, OMG!! So NOTHING can be done about the adhesions??!!

[Jachut]

Occasionally adhesions have to be treated surgically because they are causing an obstruction but most often, more adhesions form as a result of the adhesion surgery. Hopefully though, they won't form an obstruction the second time. Some people are more prone than others.

Rectal tenesmus is indeed the feeling of needing to go when your rectum is empty but it can be very severe. It was my main symptom soon before diagnosis and it was worse than labour - full on cold sweats and I even passed out once, it was so overwhelming and painful. Now for me I just have to go and sit on the loo because its so authentic, even though I've had a colosotomy for over two years I cannot believe that I am not going to poop, and I just have to push. Its unpleasant but I just live with it and to be honest, I'd still rather be in the bathroom when my colostomy springs into gear than say, in the kitchen cooking.

[Nik Colon]

Occasionally adhesions have to be treated surgically because they are causing an obstruction but most often, more adhesions form as a result of the adhesion surgery. Hopefully though, they won't form an obstruction the second time. Some people are more prone than others.

Rectal tenesmus is indeed the feeling of needing to go when your rectum is empty but it can be very severe. It was my main symptom soon before diagnosis and it was worse than labour - full on cold sweats and I even passed out once, it was so overwhelming and painful. Now for me I just have to go and sit on the loo because its so authentic, even though I've had a colosotomy for over two years I cannot believe that I am not going to poop, and I just have to push. Its unpleasant but I just live with it and to be honest, I'd still rather be in the bathroom when my colostomy springs into gear than say, in the kitchen cooking.

I currently don't have that issue, but did for quite some time previously. It is aweful, you would swear you had to go and many times my body would push for me involuntarily. It felt like my intestines were going to come out! One of the worst pains I remember. I felt like I was going to die from the pain or do some serious damage. I never passed out tho, felt like I was gonna.